It’s 2019… Start Using Your Credit Cards Travel Credits

Credit card annual fees can be expensive, but fortunately there is one way to really offset the cost — travel and airline credits that come along with the card. One of the better benefits that come with many of the expensive credit cards is that they’ll give you a statement credit for various airline and travel purchases. Of course they all work very differently and it is important to make sure to actually use the credits every single year — no reason to wait until the end of the year to then find yourself struggling!

The Platinum Card by American Express and The Business Platinum Card by American Express

Both of these cards will give you a $200 credit on one selected airline throughout the year. The credit covers baggage fees, change/cancellation fees, lounge membership, etc. There are also many reports with being able to purchase select airline gift cards to trigger the statement credit. Just make sure to select your airline of choice here.

American Express Gold Card

This credit works the exact same as the Platinum cards, however, you are only given a $100 credit per year. You must select your airline of choice here on a yearly basis. This credit is ending in 2021.

Citi Prestige Card

With this card you’ll receive a $250 air travel credit. This can cover anything from your ticket purchase to to many other fees, including baggage fees, change/cancellation fees, etc.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

With this card you’ll receive a $300 travel credit on almost any travel purchase. This includes hotels, airlines, trains, taxis — anything that is classified as “travel” on your statement will go towards the credit. While this travel credit runs on an annual basis, the 2019 year ends the day your December statement closes. After your December statement closes, all charges will count towards the following year.

The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card

With this card you’ll receive $300 in airline incidental credits. This does not cover actually purchasing an airline ticket, but it will cover baggage fees, upgrades, lounge passes/membership, etc. Similar to the Amex Platinum travel credit, select airline gift card purchases will work. Unfortunately with this card, you’ll actually have to call the credit card company to get the travel credit applied to your purchase. *This card is no longer available to new applicants.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

This card will give you a $250 credit on one selected airline throughout the year. The credit covers baggage fees, change/cancellation fees, lounge membership, in-flight food, etc. There are also many reports with being able to purchase select airline gift cards to trigger the statement credit.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

This card gives you a $75 travel credit to use just on Southwest Airlines. This will go towards any Southwest ticket purchase, which really helps offset the annual fee!

Overall..

Start thinking about you 2019 travel credit now! You do not want next December to come around and then realize you kept that particular card in your sock draw and didn’t reap the credit benefits. For the cards that only cover airfare incidental purchases, there is an entire FlyerTalk thread which discusses what airline gift cards will actually trigger the statement credit (based on data points of today, the following gift card purchases will work: Southwest, Delta ($50 maximum), and American ($100 maximum). 

How will you be using your travel credits?